Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Omar Diaz | 190317-N-AA191-0071 CHARLESTON, SC. (March 17, 2019) USS Hue City (CG 66) Command...... read more read more
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CHARLESTON, S. C.—Fifty-one years after the Battle of Hué, Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Hué City (CG 66) joined Marine veterans a remembrance ceremony March 17 at The Citadel’s Summerall Chapel.
In the battle, which took place from January 28-March 3, 1968, outnumbered Marines, U.S. Army and Army of Republic of Vietnam soldiers, fought and defeated Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers in brutal urban fighting. Five service members were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Battle of Hué.
Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, and former executive officer aboard Hué City, provided the opening remarks.
“It is a great honor for me to be here in the presence of this group of courageous men who fought so honorably at the Battle of Hué City fifty-one years ago,” said Evans. “They took part in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War; it is because of their valiant actions in gruesome urban combat, and the sacrifice of so many of their comrades that we come together today.”
After his opening statement, Evans introduced the ceremony’s keynote speaker, retired Lt. Gen. George R. Christmas, who as a company commander, earned the Navy Cross for his actions in the Battle.
“Honor, Courage, Commitment. These are our core values in the Marine Corps and Navy and as I try to define each of those values, what comes to my mind continually is you,” said Christmas. “You who served in Hué. You who walked, ran, and crawled through those streets.”
During the ceremony, Christmas presented Hué City Sailor Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Corey M. Chumack, from New Bedford, Massachusetts, with the 2019 Spirit of Hué City Award. The Spirit of Hué is awarded to crewmembers who embody the core values of the ship, and the spirit and determination demonstrated by those who fought in the battle: “Fidelity, Courage, Honor.”
Hué Marines from Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment presented Capt. Jake Douglas, commanding officer of Hué City, with a Marine guidon flag signed with their names.
The event concluded with a small reception allowing the Hué Marines to reminisce, and to speak to the Sailors of the ship that will always keep them connected.
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Hué City was commissioned in 1991, and has since deployed to perform counter drug operations, support New York in defense and humanitarian aid after the September 11th, and completed numerous deployments to assist in the Global War on Terrorism.
USS Hué City (CG 66) is the only Navy ship named after a Vietnam War battle.
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2019 16:40 |
| Story ID: | 314832 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 200 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Hué City Sailors Honor Marines Who Fought in Namesake Battle, by PO2 Omar Diaz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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